
This IS a burning trashcan, BUT.
That was a painfully accurate depiction of how an abuse victim might react once they see their almighty abuser shrunk down to banal proportions. Laughing is ABSOLUTELY on the table, just rarely depicted without a manical expression.
But her face was filled with wonder.
Soft, amused wonder that might seriously help her overcome the years and years because she was THERE she SAW how that impenetrable, invincible person got whacked and bled and begged for mercy just as she did.
Pointing and laughing IS a cure

Why is everyone so ... useless.
The FL can't make a straight shot for anything without dithering, although she's hailed as someone who manages crises. How do you manage crises if you can't make up your mind about anything. Portrayed as cold and tough with a backbone of mashed potatoes. That just doesn't go together.
The ML is just utterly useless in every aspect. Even his reasons for being so useless is basically just another layer of uselessness. You want to be a king? what for even? For one girl to look at you fondly even though you can't pull your head out of your own ass for long enough to overcome the frailty of your ego?
This is probably aimed at people two or three decades younger than me, but good god. This plot flew at me with the velocity of pudding and did a similarly graceful landing.

As of ch. 32 I gotta ask.
What was his idea. Honestly. Him going full steam ahead to get her? Yeah, well, if he thinks so. (I'm not cheering for him) What's his plan?
He has her in front of him for the first time and dares getting COLD FEET?!
Look alive brother, she was the happiest clam that ever fled her homeland until you started a war, and you have no plan at all, no bearing, no dignity, no contingency plan and as the smoothest move in the history of smooth moves you think threatening your only ally for the last decade is your insanely brilliant cure all?
As of ch. 7 I can't even tell who I am rooting for, anymore
Do I want them to leave, and let the fools deal with the consequences of their own greedy decision? I pity the people who had no hand in getting there, but these two deserve their own happiness as well.
Do I want them to stay and lose their window of opportunity to see the world, just as they dreamed of?